Lexical Summary sakan: To be of use, to benefit, to be profitable Original Word: סָכַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance endanger, impoverish Probably a denominative from sakkiyn; properly, to cut, i.e. Damage; also to grow (causatively, make) poor -- endanger, impoverish. see HEBREW sakkiyn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to incur danger NASB Translation endangered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. סָכַן] verb incur danger (late) (Late Hebrew id. Pi`el endanger, Hiph`il be endangered, סַכָּנָה danger, etc.; Aramaic סְכַן id., compare LevyNHWB iii. 526 f. DeHL und Koheleth 203; Eng. Trans. 194); — Niph`al Imperfect3masculine singular יִסָּכֶןבָּֿם Ecclesiastes 10:9 he that cleaveth (logs of) wood endangers himself by them. III. [סָכַן] verb (so most) be poor, but see below; — Pu`al Participle הַמְסֻכָּן תְּרוּמָה Isaiah 40:20 usually, he who is impoverished in respect to offering, but very dubious; see conjectures in Du (against him Di-Kit) Skinner ZimZA ix.111 CheHeb.Hpt. — מִסְכֵּן poor, מִסְכֵּנֻת poverty. [סִכְסֵךְ] see below IV. שׂכך Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range סָכַן points to the idea of involvement that carries consequence. The verb can speak of exposure to peril as well as the practiced competence of one long accustomed to a task, the shared nuance being “engagement that matters.” Whether the engagement risks harm or displays seasoned skill, the root highlights how actions never take place in a vacuum. Occurrences and Context 1. Ecclesiastes 10:9 – physical hazard in routine labor. Danger and Wisdom in Labor – Ecclesiastes 10:9 “The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.” Qoheleth illustrates that even necessary work can wound. סָכַן underscores that risk is woven into ordinary life; prudent preparation and humility before God are therefore integral to true wisdom (Ecclesiastes 7:14, Proverbs 27:12). Skill and Idolatry – Isaiah 40:20 “To one bereft of an offering he chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.” The skilled (literally “one experienced,” from סָכַן) artisan uses his honed abilities to stabilize a lifeless idol. The passage exposes the futility of human expertise detached from devotion to the living God. Craft and industry, gifts from the Creator, become tools of rebellion when redirected to false worship (Isaiah 44:9–20). Historical and Cultural Insights Ancient quarrying and logging demanded proximity to unpredictable forces—falling rocks or timber. Likewise, Near-Eastern idol manufacture relied on veteran craftsmen capable of exact balance so the image would “not topple.” Both scenes illustrate a culture keenly aware of risk and reliant on skilled labor, giving fresh color to the double use of סָכַן. Theological Reflections 1. Providence and human limitation: Ecclesiastes 10:9 reminds believers that the curse on the ground (Genesis 3:17–19) persists; toil remains hazardous, and safety is ultimately the Lord’s gift (Psalm 4:8). Pastoral and Practical Applications • Encourage workers to pair diligence with dependence on God. Industrial safety measures have value, yet trust in divine care must anchor every endeavor (James 4:13–15). Christological and Redemptive Connections Jesus Christ entered a laboring household, likely learning carpentry skill (Mark 6:3). He faced hazards common to humanity yet never misapplied His craft toward idolatry. At the cross He bore the ultimate peril—divine wrath—so that those endangered by sin might find eternal security (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Him, human endeavor is redeemed for God’s glory (Ephesians 2:10). Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5533 סָכַן binds together risk and proficiency, urging thoughtful engagement with life’s tasks. Ecclesiastes 10:9 calls for sober awareness of danger; Isaiah 40:20 cautions against expertise divorced from truth. United, the passages summon believers to work wisely, worship rightly, and rest in the Lord who alone keeps labor and skill from becoming instruments of harm or idolatry. Forms and Transliterations הַֽמְסֻכָּ֣ן המסכן יִסָּ֥כֶן יסכן ham·suk·kān hamsukKan hamsukkān yis·sā·ḵen yisSachen yissāḵenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 10:9 HEB: בּוֹקֵ֥עַ עֵצִ֖ים יִסָּ֥כֶן בָּֽם׃ NAS: logs may be endangered by them. KJV: wood shall be endangered thereby. INT: splits logs may be endangered Isaiah 40:20 2 Occurrences |
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